The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-08-04

| Ou0 ooAu n0F u1110 W. C8rtor. Car.
ter-Carter? Whels have i heard
WHAT Carter Mys0odi That was the
name of her husbas4. She said che need
to live here years aqa Il must BE- aha
1t is Kate Drewi fimust bsin -
Steele shook like ) leaf Hs seemed
young again. He surrendered her once
more as the sweetxaood GIRL, and The
heart which had bed Numbering 20 loua
seemed to spring intp new life. He ssi
down On the stairs 10 compose himself
and then started again for the kitchen
William" said Steele. when he en-.
tered, "here 10 the by to my Office. I
wish you would 20 there and bring me .
packet you will find On my desk"
William fell in the trap without suspi-
cion, and was of.
Steele seated himself in a dark corner
and looked at the woman. He could zee
his old love in every feature of the face.
lie was strangely excited and knew not
what to say. =
"You say you Ived here once ?" he
began. =
Yes, when waaa giri, |" she said.
"And bad fortune has overtakan ynn
since Perhaps you knew my cousin.
eyes," she said," knew him. Is he not
here now2" ....st ns
Z" No, poor fellow said Steele, feeling
guilty as he spoke the words, "he is
dead"
| "Dead J" and she leaned her head on
her hand and wept.
eyes," said Steele, feeling like mur-
derer as he spoke, "but none who knew
him were sorry for it. He had no good
in him, and lived selfish life.''
Poor man ~ said the sweet, sympa-
thizing tones. "At heart he was good"
Something seemed to move Steele. He
got up and stood by her chair. Ills
hand, by accident, touched her. 1t sent
thrill through him that seemed to make
new being Of him. e..
Katie" he said, "don't you know
me ?"
She looked up, started, stood erect, and
got good look into bis face.
"John I" she said, in scared way, and
hid her face in her hands.
Yes, Katie" he said, eft is John.
was thinking of you to-day, and it seems
as though heaven has sent YOU"
This is such shock to me-" and she
sat down again.
Steele's heart was throbbing wildly,
and he quivered with excitement.
am old now, Katie, and perhaps
awkward in my speech, but-I-I can't
help what l am saying. You have no
home, l am rich, and you are the only
woman | ever loved. You are welcome
to all l have. My life has been very
lonely. With you l would be happy.
You can't love me, 1 know, after all this
time, but do not ask that"
She arose as if to go. Poor Steele's
heart seemed to be bursting. He uncon-
sciously put forth his arms and touched
her. With a sob she fell into them and
rested her head on his shoulder.
"Katie!" he cried 10 joy.
"Oh, John, how can l speak p
"Say something, Katie"
II feel so guilty. I thought you
would never forgive me D. -.
"But what, Katie ?''
ooh, John, you know 1 loved you
then, and it was not my fault 1 have
loved you all these long years. l am so
happy, if you will but forgive me-"
"Forglve you! Don't speak OF that
again. You are homeless no longer, Ka-
tie. l know what love is at least. You
are in my house now, and you shall never
60 out of it except as my wife,
No, ohm, not"
eyes, don't object. / know it don't
sound well, but don't care for that. A
preacher lives close. Won't you con-
sent?"
But"
"Please don't refuse, Katie"
Well, | guess"
Just then William came In. Steele
nearly ran over him. Hang the pa
pers ~ he said, as William offered them
to him.
"Here, William" he said, as he came
down stairs putting on bis overcost, elk
the front room and light a FIRE. Don't
you hear, you idiot? Don't stand look
ing, move about" ---.-...--.
William did not know what Yas the
matter. He had just got the fire lighted
when Steele came stumbling In with the
preacher. Arkansas Traveller.